U.S. Faith-Based Investors Get Warm Reception in Rural Macedonia
Slave Velesanov isn’t the sort of person who lets opportunities pass him by. As a practicing Minister in Strumica, an agricultural community in the southern part of the Republic of Macedonia, Rev. Velesanov heard often about both the challenges and the aspirations of his community.
He also had many business contacts, thanks to his travels abroad. So the Reverend and faith-based international friends are working to put two and two together.
 |
| Mite Iliev, owner of "Iliev-Prom" a construction supply business in Dabilje (near Strumica) meets with Bolt Moore, an American pastor currently based in Budapest, and Bruce Cameron of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to discuss possible OPIC funding. (From left: Mite Iliev, Bruce Cameron and Bolt Moore) |
This week, thanks to their efforts, ten international businessmen— six from the U.S.-- descended on this medium-sized town to listen to local business people talk about investment opportunities in agriculture, construction, and even a new ski area.
“I care about these people’s spiritual lives” says Bolt Moore, an American pastor currently based in Budapest, “but I know they live in the real world. I believe that doing business is a part of life and that there’s an ethical way of doing business that’s compatible with one’s spiritual beliefs.”
The business symposium— from November 10 to 13—involved prominent business, professional and political leaders in Strumica, Macedonia and the international investors. Participants from all faiths were welcomed and amongst the participants.
The goal of the symposium was to improve the relationships between the local powers that be-- business, political and professional—and to forge new relationships with potential international investors.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the event through its Seal of Quality and Agribusiness project implemented by Land O’Lakes and Agland Investment Services by providing technical support and speakers. The USAID project invited a number of their Macedonian clients (many of whom belong to the Macedonian Association of Processors).
USAID also invited Mr. Bruce Cameron, a Senior Investment Officer with the U.S. Government owned Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), to speak to the conference on how Macedonian entrepreneurs might work with OPIC. Mr. Cameron explained that OPIC can lend from $100,000 to $250 million to Macedonian projects that have at least 25 percent American investment in the company.
However, this was not an event where business plans were slapped on tables and wallets were pulled out of pockets. Instead, sessions on the qualities and strengths of entrepreneurship and values driven leadership were on the agenda, as well as getting to know each other.
“Clearly, this is just the beginning of our investment activities, which begin with the building of relationships and knowledge about Macedonia,” stated Rev Velesanov. “We are thinking about a larger event next year. We are also thinking about starting an l investment fund using contributions from the United Sates to support investment activities with small and medium investors in Macedonia.”
Gorgi Andonov, a branch manager with UNIBank, was enthusiastic about the conference. He suggested that perhaps faith-based investors in Macedonia could leverage their contributions by using the funds to provide guarantees to local banks, which would then be able to lend to more small businesses in Macedonia.
“I came here from Lynden, Washington, but I’ve discovered that Macedonian businessmen involved in farming and agriculture share many of the same problems and the same beliefs that I do,” said Dean King, a retired businessman and church leader. “Churches in our community are looking for ways to become involved in economic development. We have developed a P.E.A.C.E. plan, inspired by Rick Warren’s Saddleback church in California and this may be a great way to implement our plan.”
The conference ended with a pledge to explore putting together a more comprehensive conference next year, combining the resources of the faith-community in Macedonia and the United States, along with the organizational support of the USAID’s projects.
Back to Top ^
|
